SPGS Bursary

[PuppyHappy]

My daughter has been offered a bursary from SPGS. Their email says the bursary assessment is provisional, based on the financial info we have already sent, and that they will send another means test form later.

Honestly, that makes me nervous. If we pick SPGS over City and then something changes with the bursary, we could be in a really difficult position.

Is this second check standard at SPGS? We have already provided loads of payslips and bank statements and it felt like a proper assessment, so I do not understand why they need to do it again.

Hi - I think this is standard procedure. We have a bursary to another school and had similar. We were told that it is standard procedure, if nothing changes between now and the reassessment then bursary stays at current level. All schools will do annual assessments. I’d reach out to their admissions team or speak to their bursar if you’re concerned. Congrats to your DD on the bursary - what an amazing achievement!

Congratulations! What an achievement!
This is standard procedure, they just need to check that there’s been no changes from when you sent through the forms last year till now-ensuring everything remains up to date on their end, when they issue you the contract.

Yes sounds like a final check. We do know some friends where the bursary was significantly reduced in subsequent years although their circumstances hadn’t changed as the funding pool had shrunk (and unfortunately they couldn’t afford this)

Wow, this is really worrying, was that at SPGS?

I would encourage you to look at how each school funds their bursary pot. Some schools have endowments, other schools (like SPGS) rely on contributions from donors. They also take a slice of the fees charged to all parents, but there is pressure to drop this as it hadn't been transparent and with the pressure on parents to pay rising fees (and VAT on top), it isn't sustainable.

I should add that most schools will have an annual check on your finances, as they have a responsibility to the school community to ensure that your situation has not changed. They do ask you to inform them of any change in circumstances, but an annual request for the financial information you have just provided will be standard and justified.